Punchestown Gold Cup Guide 2022

Paul Nicholls sends over his star staying chaser of the last few seasons in the shape of Clan Des Obeaux. A two times winner of the King George, he had to settle for a well beaten 2nd place in last year’s renewal.

He’s also no stranger to raids on this course. Coming over to Ireland for this race last year saw Clan Des Obeaux get the better of Al Boum Photo.

Despite this season not initially going to plan he bounced right back to form last time out when winning the Betway Bowl at Aintree, fending off Conflated. Looks to have a live chance in defending his crown.

At one time he looked like the next big staying chaser for Willie Mullins but he’s failed to really stay consistent over the years.

Winning the Savilles chase back in 2018, he then went on a tear and captured the Betway Bowl and this race in a very successful season.

His form tailed off after however but he bounced back to form when winning the Irish Gold Cup last year.

Again though his form has dipped and his better days look behind him. He ran well enough to be 3rd last time out in the Betway Bowl behind Clan Des Obeaux but looks held on that form.

A two time Gold Cup hero for Willie Mullins, the now 10 year old Al Boum Photo had to settle for 3rd in last year’s Gold Cup before finishing 6th in this year’s renewal.

A decent 2nd in this race last year to Clan Des Obeaux, he made his usual return to racing on New Year’s Day at Tramore to win a grade 3 over 2 miles and 6 furlongs. Winning handily as normal.

Unsuited by a slow run Gold Cup this year, he didn’t have the turn of foot to go with the front 5 and faded back into a well beaten 6th. If he has more of a pace to aim at here he could fare better but he’s been 2nd in this race twice.

Springing a surprise when cruising to victory in the King George over Christmas, Tornado Flyer’s form previously had been quietly consistent.

Highly tried over a variety of trips, he’d not won since taking his novice chase grade 3 back in 2019 before seemingly loving 3 miles over Kempton.

The John Durkhan seemed too short a trip for him at the start of the season and the Gold Cup taxed his stamina too much on his last start seeing him pull up. A return to 3 miles might suit but he needs to bring his best to get involved.

The 8 year old has been a revelation over 2.5 miles for Willie Mullins. Winning two renewals of the Ryanair with bullying front running tactics.

Winning this seasons John Durkhan, a grade 2 at Thurles and most recently the Ryanair, he looks almost unbeatable over the intermediate trip.

With how he’s ridden over 2.5 miles, a more patient ride could see him get 3 miles here. Facing some stern opposition and certified stayers will test his abilities to the max.

A bite of a trip-less sort for Willie Mullins. Janidil has been tried over 2 miles and 3 miles over the last year or so and has failed to find success.

Not winning since winning a grade 1 novice chase over 2.5 miles in April of last year, he’s struggled to uphold his for in open company this season.

A good 2nd to Allaho in the John Durkhan kicked off his campaign. However he was well beaten over 3 miles on his next two outings before coming 2nd to Allaho again, this time in the Ryanair.

Falling when last seen over 2.5 miles only a few days ago he tries 3 miles again. Interesting if he stays.

Last year’s Gold Cup hero for Henry De Bromhead hasn’t has the same success this season. He’s actually had a very disappointing campaign and has failed to win in any of his 4 starts.

Beaten on reappearance by Frodon he then shaped poorly in the King George and pulled up having not travelled a yard.
Looking much better in his last two outings, he’s had to settle for 2nd place.

In the Irish Gold Cup he was left behind by Conflated and last month in the Gold Cup he didn’t have the pace to keep tabs on A Plus Tard up the hill.

Needs to recapture form to be in the mix.

A very talented 7 year old who’s found his niche over 2.5 miles recently. Easily the second best chaser over an intermediate trip behind Allaho, he proved no match for that rival in last year’s Ryanair.

He tried this race last year but didn’t quite look like he stayed the 3 miles and had to settle for 3rd place. Despite being beaten on 2 of his runs this season he’s shown his class this spring in winning the Ascot Chase and the Melling Chase at Aintree.

Top class over shorter, he’s got question marks over his stamina at this trip.

Well touted for this years’ Gold Cup, Gordon Elliott’s 8 year old looked to lack the tactical pace to have his say at Cheltenham.

The winner of the National Hunt Chase the year before, Elliott had always earmarked the horse as a Grand National type and he looked to be stamina over pace when beaten into 4th by A Plus Tard.

Might just be outpaced again but he showed tenacity to get up late in the Savilles Chase at Christmas.